Light diffuser for headlights



Dec. 11, 1928.

B. K. SMITH LIGHT DIFFUSER FOR HEADLIGHTS [iled April 22, 1927 AT RNEY'S.

Patented Dec. 11, 1928.

men.

LIGHT DIFFUSER FOR I IEADLIGI-ITS.

Application filed April 22, 1927. Seiial'No: 185,677.

This invention relates to a device of the general character shown in the Patent No. 1,283,935, November 5, 1918.

The chief object of the invention is to improve the construction shown in the before mentioned patent and by providing one which is adapted for replacement of astandard re flector or one which can be supplied as an in sert auxiliary to a reflector.

One feature of the invention consist in the formation of the vanes and the anchorage therefor.

Another feature of the invention consists in the location of the vanes relative to the reflector whereby the entire light deflecting surface is divided into a number of finely divided radial formed compartments.

, The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation of one form of the invention. Fig. 2is a central sectional view therethrough. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the vanes. Fig. 4 is an edge view thereof. Fig. 5 is a central sectional view of a modified form of the invention. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a part of the peripheral anchorage for the vanes shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a similar view of the inner anchorage shown in Fig. 5. side view of the vane shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a still further modifled form of the invention.

In the drawings 10 indicates a casing of a head lamp including a lens or door closure 11 retained by door rim 12 and mounted within which is the connecting plug 13 which detachably receives a light bulb 14, the foregoing constituting the usual construction. A reflector 15 includes a central aperture 16 which receives a sleeve 1'? which receives the plug 13 forming the bulb support. The reflector 15 is provided with a peripheral seat 18. at its outer edge, which is associated with the casing 10, rim 12 and packing ring 19.

In the present invention the reflector 15, which constitutes a replacement for the usual reflector, is provided with a plurality of annular series of radially extending slots positioned in spaced relation in each series, the slots being indicated at 20 and 21. Each pair of radial slots 20 and 21 is adapted to receive the split tongues 22 and 23 integral with a vane or plane 24 having a front edge 25 which is adapted to lie parallel to the lens closure.

Fig. 8 is a The vane includes an axial face 26; relieved to'provide clearance for ax almounting of-the light bulb 14 and also includes a curvedback conforming to the curvature of the reflector, The split tongues 22 and 23 are turned angu-larly as at 28 for rigidly anchor ing the vanfe in position upon the reflector. Each vane includes at its forward and inner corner an aperture 29 which receives a supporting wire 30 that passes through all of the vanes.

The device hereinbefore described operates substantially the same as that set forth in the prior patent, except more efficiently for reasons noted later. i I I Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, illustratea modified form of the invention, wherein the vane con struction is an auxiliary insert to the reflector. In this instance the reflector is indicated by the numeral 115 and is ofthe standard type andassociated therewithand positioned forwardly thereof between said reflector and the closure is a vane construction. The same comprises a plurality of vanes 124 each liaving a curvature 127 corresponding to the curvature of the reflector 115, a front face or edge 125 for terminating adjacent the lens closure when mounted, on opening 129 at one cornerand a notch 120. The inner retainer consists of a dished disc 121 having a plurality of radial slots 128 for interlocking relationship with the ends 126 of the vanes having the notch 120 at the end thereof. The disc 121 has a central opening 122 for mounting on the sleeve 117 receiving the light bulb 114. A wire ring member 130 is receivable by all of the openings 129. An annular flanged member 128 is provided with a plurality of radially extending slots 119 arranged inan annular series and in spaced relation for receiving the radial projecting tongues. 131 of the vanes which are turned angularly for vane anchorage. The construction thus formed is an insert adapted to be utilized as an auxiliary to a standard reflector.

In Fig. 9 there is illustrated a modified form of the invention, in which the reflector and vanes are formed integral by multi-folding. v215 indicates a plurality of reflector forming segments, each of which is united to an inwardly extending vane forming member 224, adjacent vane forming members 224 being positioned side by side, as shown. The construction includes the central aperture 216 for mounting on the sleeve 117 and the vanes three-point connection as shown in Figs. 1V

to S-inclusive. The structural effect, of the three forms of the invention shown is substantially the same.

lVith this construction glare is entirely confined to the central beam or spot and the effeet can be eliminated if the lamp is initially displaced or tilted to place the central glare spot on the roadway from two hundred to three hundred feet ahead of the car. The remaining light consists of a widely diffused driving light which is entirely non-objectionable for the planes are radial and angular to all the incident rays from the bulb except the rays projected forwardly. This also increased the efiiciency of the reflecting unit as a whole since all of the light rays ultimately v are projected forwardly.

The large number of radially formed compartments prevents straying of light rays,

particularly that known as the whirling'of,

the light rays generated in a circular formed reflector. As a result all of the light is projected forwardly and none is projected laterally and is further obtained by reason of the substantial conformation of the back edge of each of the vanes corresponding to the re fleeting surface. Since the vanes do not project toward the center ahead of the light bulb of course they clo'not intercept any of the for wardly directed rays of light and, therefore, increase the efliciency when this construction is obtained. So the result is that substantially all of the light rays are directed forward and when the light is tilted as aforesaid, no glare is apparent to the approaching individual.

The invention claimed is:

In a headlamp, the combination with a concave reflector and a light bulb support disposed centrally therein; of a diffuser coinprising a plurality of flat vanes arranged in spaced relation to each other and radially within said reflector and having their outer edges conforming to and engaged with the latter, the inner ends of said vanes curving inwardly and secured to said bulb support, and the inner edges of said vanes radiating outwardly and forwardly from said support with the forward edges terminating adjacent to the forward end of said reflector and concerntric therewith.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

' BIRNEY K. SMITH. 

